Clinical thermometer.



W. W. TALBOT.

CLINICAL THERMOMETER.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNI: so, 1914.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

THE NORRIS PETERS C0 4 PHOTOALITHO.. IASHING ION. D4 C.

"UliviN STATES PA CLINICAL THERMOMETER.

To all whom it may concern.' i

Be it known that I, VILLIAM W. TixLno'r, a citizen ot the llnited States, residing at New York, in the city, county and State ot New York, have made a certain newand useful invention in Clinical Thermometers, of which the following is a specification.

rlhis 'invention relates to clinical ther mometers. i

The object' ot' the invention is to provide means which are simple and eilicient for causing the mercury or other temperature responsive element ol' thermometers to be `lorced down toward or into the bulb oil the thermometer without danger oli breaking or injuring the thermometer.

.Il further object to provide a thern1on1- eter structure ol `the nature referred to wherein, in case et' accidental breakage of the thernioineter the broken part may be easily, readily and economically replaced.

Other objects olf the invention will appear more lfully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially .in the cimstrliction, combination, location and relative arrangemei'it oli' parts, all as will he more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawing, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying ingr-Figure l. is a view in `elevation show ing a clinical thermometer applied to a case or holder in accordance with my invention preparatory to manipulation for forcing the mercury or other temperature element down in the bulb ol. the instrument. Fig. 2 is a view .in longitudinal central section of the case or holder showing the thern'iometer housed therein. F is a broken view in enlarged central longitudinal section oit' one draivend ot' the thermometer and its housing case. F ig. 4 is a transverse Yline 4, 4, `Fig. 3. j

The saine part is designated by the same reference numeral wherein it occurs throughout the several views.

In the construction of clinical thermometers it is customary to make the tube with the bulb in the ordinary Way and to seal a metal cap over the open end of the tube by means of cement, this cap being eX- teriorly threaded to al'ord means for securing the thermometer into a case. rlhis is an objectionable practice for the reason that the cement seal frequently is impaired by the sterlzng operations to which the then section on the Specification of Letters Patent.

`Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

Application filed June 30, 1914. Serial No. 848,148.

he repeatedly subjected, the cap on the end therecase ot breakage of a ther and experience has demonstrated that these devices are exceedingly del'lale and fragile, where the screw cap sleeve is cemented over the end of the tube, not only must the tube he thrown away but also the screw cap sleeve must bc thrown away. '.lhis cap sleeve, and the cost ot attaching the saine adds materially to thc cost oil? the complete article. Moreover, in ordinary use it is necessary to frequently force [he mercury or other temperature clement ol. the thermometer toward or down into the bulb. l/Vhere this is done by quickly sha1-:ing or jarring the tube the danger is incurred of breaking the fragile tube and so deftriiying `the instrument. Various devices have momcter must thereby loosening of. Moreover, in moincter,

been prepared for utilizing flexible spring holders or torsional spring connections to act upon the thermometer in order to torce the mercury down into the tube. Such de vices as have heretofore been enniloyed i'or this purpose, however, have not proven to be entirely satisfactory, and besides have been costly to manufacture.

lt is among the special purposes ol my present invention to avoid the objections noted and to provide a thermometer in which the open end ot' thc tube is closed by 'fusing the glass or other material of which the tube is made and shaping the same into a shonldered head. Over the tuhc l loosely slip a metal sleeve which is exterior-ly threaded and adapted to bc drawn endwise against the headed end of the tube. A metal cap is then l'elescoped over the headed end of the tube and is threaded onto the exteriorly threaded sleeve. lfiith this construction in case oit' breakage ot the tube the sleeve and cap are easily removed and applied to another tube and it is only necessary, therefore, to

renew or replace the tube itself which costs much less than a tube with its end cap sealed to it. This arrangement also permits repeated sterilizations of the thermometer without danger ot' impairing a cement or other adhesive connection of the cap to the tube.

In order to provide efficient and safe means for forcing the mercury or other teur perature responsive element of the thermometer down into or toward the bulb oi? the tube, I provide a case in which the tube is ordinarily carried and in one end ci this ico tube l permanently secure a swivel for a-Xially rotative movement, and l provide the swivel with spring clamp jaws and a knob to be grasped by the operator. The tube with its cap sleeveis inserted or threaded through the clamp jaws so that the shank oli the cap sleeve is received and clamped between the clamp jaws. Now, by holding the case vertically, with the tube clamped and held as described, and giving a quick rotation to the clamp swivel the tube is revolved there-by permitting centrifugal action to cause the mercury or other temperature responsive element to be forced into or toward the bulb of the tube.

Referring to the drawing, reference numeral 5, designates the thermometer tube, one end which is provided with a bulb -9, and the other end is closed by a fused and flanged head 7. The tube 5 may be of the usual or any desired shape in cross section, and may be graduated in the ordinary way of clinical or other thermometers. loosely over the tube 5` is an exteriorly threaded sleeve 10, and a cap 11, telescoped over the closed head 7 of the tube and screwed onto the sleeve 10, serves to draw the latter endwise up against the flange on the head 7, as clearly shown. The sleeve 10 is provided with an extended cylindrical shank portion 12, for a purpose presently to be described. The tube is to be carried in a case 18, which may be of the usual size to carry in the pocket, the tube with its cap and sleeve being inserted endwise in the case and held firmly therein by exterior threads on the cap 11, engaging interior threads formed in the mouth ot the case. A. sleeve 14 is inserted in the other end o1. the case and rigidly secured therein. The stem 15 or a swivel is journaled for axialrotation in the sleeve 14. This swivel has its ends split to form spring aws 16, 17, which are cooperatively shaped to form a cylin drical spring clamp 18, the ends of said jaws being extended and cooperating to form a knob or handle 19 adapted to be grasped between the fingers of the operator for the purpose of axially rotating said swivel. By unscrewing the cap 11, from the threaded mouth of case 13 the thermometerl tube is withdrawn from the case 'for use. After it has been used and it Ais desired to restore the mercury or other temperature responsive material to or toward the bulb 9, the tube is inserted endwise through the spring clamp 18 until the cylindrical portion or extension 12k of the sleeve 10 is embraced by said clamp and securely held by friction therein the spring action of the jaws 16, 1.7, securing this result. Now by grasping the knob'19 of the swivel between the' fingers swivel a sharp whirl while holding j 13, in proper position the tube selves, and, if desired,

Slipped I and giving lth el the case with the swivel in a horizontal plane and through centrifugal action the mercury or other temperature responsive element is forced to or toward the bulb.

1n case of the tube becoming broken from any cause the cap 11 and sleeve 10 are removed therefrom and placed on a new tube. By the construction described 1 am enabled to avoid breakage of the thermometer but in case a tube should be accidentally broken it is readily'replaced at small cost. It can also be sterilized repeatedly without danger of destroying the cement or other adhesive connection of the screw cap to the tube.

The complete device with the case is rendered readily salable as an article by reason ot repeat orders for the tubes themthe name and address of the retail dealer may be applied to the case for advertising purposes.

Having now set forth the objects and naH ture ot my invention and a construction embodying the principles thereof, what l claim as new and useful and ot my own invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-

1. A clinical thermometer including a tube having a bulb at one end and an integrally closed head at the other end, a sleeve loosely slipped over the tube and provided with a cylindrical extension, a cap telescoped freely over the closed head of the tube and engaging the sleeve in combination with a case having a swivel, said swivel having spring clamp jaws to receive and clamp the cylindrical extension of said sleeve when the latter is inserted endwise there through.

9'. A clinicall thermometer having a bulb at one end 'and anv integrally closed; head at the other end, a sleeve loosely slipped over the thermometer and provided with a cylindrical extension, a removable screw cap telescoped over said closed head and engaging said sleeve, a case :for the thermometer hav ing a swivel rotatively mounted in one end thereof, said swivel having jaws coperating to form a spring clamp to receive and hold the cylindrical extension of the sleeve when the thermometer is inserted endwise through said clamp, said jaws having extensions to form a knob or handlev for rotating said swivel.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand in the presence or the subscribing witnesses, on this 2nd day of June A. D., 1914.

WILLAM W. TALBOT.

Witnesses:

Manaonm A. GRAnvn," SAMUEL E. DARBY, Jr.

Copies ot this patent' may Vbe obtained"i'or've vcents each, by addressing 'the if oommssi'oner oflatents, Washington, D. n.

5 is revolved 

